The Elon University School of Law has a goal for its students that extends beyond finding success in the legal field. The professors and administrators also hope to prepare students to act as leaders in their respective communities after graduation.
This goal will be reflected by discussions at this April’s Conference on Law and Leadership, co-hosted by the School of Law and the Center for Creative Leadership.
“The driving force behind the conference is essentially looking at how legal education and business can work together to consider the idea of lawyers as leaders,” said Faith Rivers James, associate professor at the School of Law, who has been involved in organizing the conference.
Graduates of Elon’s law school are particularly equipped to offer problem solving and strategic planning solutions to a range of people beyond just their clients, Rivers James said.
“Lawyers bring a set of analytical skills and communication skills that distinguishes them and their capabilities to serve in community leadership,” she said.
The conference, which will be held April 13-14, will feature keynote addresses from Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Conner, and David Gergen, professor and director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Both keynote speakers have had a close relationship with Elon University School of Law since its inception, Rivers James said.
O’Conner’s involvement with the school has included participation with the school’s opening ceremonies in 2006, in addition to numerous visits to discuss the importance of civics education. Gergen currently serves as chairman to the school of law’s board of advisees.
The conference will also bring together scholars and professionals with backgrounds in law and business to speak in panel discussions.
“Speakers for this conference come from a diversity of experiences,” Rivers James said.
River James said she is confident the wide range of experiences will offer a beneficial perspective to students who choose to attend the conference, especially from a business standpoint.
“(The business professionals) have the ability to bring to us (an understanding of) the things they value, the things they need from lawyers that they work with,” she said.
Topics covered through addresses and discussions will take into consideration the economic and political climates of today’s society. The role that lawyers play in times of change will be explored throughout the weekend.
The decision of the law school to co-host this event with the Center for Creative Leadership was a natural one, according to Philip Craft, director of communications for the law school.
“Both organizations are developing innovative approaches to leadership education within the legal sector,” Craft said.
The upcoming conference is part of what has been an ongoing partnership between the two institutions.
While the first day’s conference events are intended for business and legal professionals, Saturday’s events are open to students of the law school and Center for Creative Leadership who have completed a registration process for the conference.
Those involved with the conference’s organization hope that students will gain a stronger understanding of the expectations held for them by both their employers and by society.
“Leaders in legal education add to education a variety of skills that will better prepare students to hit the ground running after graduation, and make them more prepared for the practice of law,” Rivers James said.